Our Family's Romans Project

This morning at church, they shared about the "ROMANS PROJECT" in Africa.

We just finished a book about Dr David Livingstone, a medical missionary who had a heart for reaching unexplored inland areas in Africa for the sake of the gospel during the 1800's. He had a HUGE impact for Christ among those in Africa and was an effective anti-slavery crusader. We were encouraged by his vigor, passion, work and sacrifice. At the same time, we got the impression that one of major things he sacrificed is ministering to his family. Because of the nature of and danger associated with his travels, he sent his family out of Africa, not even meeting one of his daughters until she was school aged. It seems, from the reading, that he was unable to really invest in the physical and spiritual lives of his children. It left us a little sad and wondering...Did his kids even know Jesus? Were they established in God's Word? Did they see their dad as a faithful servant of Christ or just as a father who abandoned them? I am not speculating, just wondering.

All that said, we have a huge heart for missions...telling people the great news of Jesus who came to seek and to save the lost and to rescue them from the despair of sin through the price paid with His sinless life and blood shed on the cross. We want all to know the hope that we have in Him, including our family, friends, neighbors, people we come in contact each day and those in distant places, including Africa.

We have the opportunity, like Livingstone, to make an impact in Africa. We can give $25 to send an MP3 to pastors in Africa to equip them to more efficiently teach the Word of God. All they have to do is read Romans 20 times and write in out; all we have to do is pay $25.

That would be great, but would we be missing another great opportunity? Would we be missing the opportunity to be further changed by the Word of God? Could we easily send off some cash to invest in hearts in Africa but not think that our own family needs the very same thing? Can we too easily give abroad but miss investing in our home, our children's hearts, and our own hearts?

Here is our plan:
We plan not to "just give cash" and move on. We plan to come along side the work being done in Africa with giving, prayer and digging into God's Word. Chris and I, like the pastors, will write our the book of Romans. As a family, every time we read though Romans, we will add $1 to our "Romans Project" jar. After 25 times through, we will be able to send off one MP3.

If you want to join the "project," please do. Depending on the age of your kids and the dynamics of your family, you can modify what we have chosen to do. Either way, you will be investing in the hearts of those in your home and in Africa. I know that God's Word will not return void. We will be forever changed by this. We are super excited!!!

If you would like to give online:
http://www.downtownbible.org/donaterp.html

If you would like more info:
Downtown Bible Class-ROMANS PROJECT
PO Box 19191
Portland, OR 97280
1-800-935-3020
romansproject@downtownbible.org